A Story of Dvapar Yuga in Prose (Part-27A)
By Lokanath Mishra
( Mahabharata in Prose)
Belamali, enchanted by Bhima’s appearance, carried his lifeless body down to the netherworld (Pātāla) to her father, the Serpent King Ananta. At Belamali’s request, King Ananta fed Bhima the nectar of immortality and restored his life. When Bhima regained consciousness, he asked, “Where am I? How did I come here?”
King Ananta narrated everything he had heard from his daughter. He said, “By drinking this nectar, all the ill effects of poison have been destroyed. From now on, the strength of ten thousand elephants will flow through your body.”
Belamali then assumed the form of a woman and expressed her desire to marry Bhima. At King Ananta’s request, Bhima married Belamali and stayed there for a few days.
Meanwhile, the four brothers went to Hastinapura in search of Bhima. The Kauravas falsely told Yudhishthira that Bhima had collected the mace and returned the same day. After much searching, the Pandavas became hopeless. They mourned and waited, wondering when Bhima would return.
Once, while wandering in the forest, a fearsome demon named Pandavāsura attacked the Pandavas. Arjuna held him off for some time, but it soon became clear that the demon could not be subdued by Arjuna alone. In fear, Yudhishthira remembered Bhima.
In the city of Pātāla, Bhima’s abode trembled. As Bhima prepared to leave, Belamali said to him, “Husband, if you must go, know this—I am pregnant.” Bhima rejoiced and said, “When the child is born, we shall give it a name combining both our names. If it is a son, he shall be called Belalasena; if a daughter, Belabali.”
After saying this, Bhima took King Ananta’s permission and emerged from the netherworld. The forest trembled with the demon’s roar. Bhima quickly reached Pandavāsura. Leaving Arjuna behind, he rushed toward the demon. A fierce battle ensued. Defeating Pandavāsura was not easy. The demon raised a sword to strike. With immense force, Bhima struck the demon’s right arm with his fist, causing the sword to fall. Bhima seized the same sword and split the demon into two.
Returning home, Bhimasena narrated before his mother and brothers how the Kauravas had poisoned him during a feast and tried to kill him. He also explained how he was brought back to life by the serpent maiden Belamali. Turning to Yudhishthira, he said, “Brother, just as you ordered me to fetch the mace, now give me another command. Let me go and send at least one of those wicked Kaurava brothers of Hastinapura to the realm of Yama.”
At that moment, Vidura arrived. The five brothers bowed to him. Yudhishthira sorrowfully recounted the poisoning of Bhima. Vidura said, “All this happened due to my negligence. I had doubts about the appointment of the new cook, but I never imagined they would act so quickly. I have learned from my spies that, along with Shakuni, they are plotting something even more dreadful. Act as if you know nothing, but remain alert. Inform me of any new orders from Hastinapura. And do not tell anyone that I came here; otherwise, they will grow more cautious.”
That day, after returning to Hastinapura, Vidura summoned his personal spies and instructed them to keep watch around the royal palace and throughout the city. He appointed another agent specifically to observe Purochana’s activities. Vidura was righteous and just, yet also shrewd. He realized his suspicions were well-founded—Purochana was capable of committing any cruel act.
Late at night, a spy cautiously entered Vidura’s residence and reported, “Large quantities of lac, ghee, fatty substances, and dry reeds are being purchased in and around Hastinapura and sent to Varanavata. We have also learned that Minister Shakuni and the cook Purochana have visited Varanavata together.”
The next day, Vidura met Dhritarashtra to learn more. Upon seeing him, Dhritarashtra said, “Vidura, have you heard? Duryodhana is building a grand palace at Varanavata for Kunti and her sons. The residence at Indraprastha is supposedly unfit for princes. Even Grandfather Bhishma has expressed pleasure at this affection for the brothers.”
Vidura replied, “Indeed, indeed—this is a most welcome step!”
As Dhritarashtra and Vidura were discussing the new palace, Shakuni and Duryodhana entered. Duryodhana said, “Uncle, do not inform my brothers in Indraprastha. I wish to surprise them with this gift.” Vidura agreed. After some discussion, Vidura asked, “When will the new palace be ready for occupation?”
Duryodhana replied, “In just a few more days. Then we shall take them all and settle them in Varanavata.”
In private, Shakuni warned Duryodhana, “This Vidura is no ordinary man. We must watch him closely. I sense suspicion in his mind. Tell the king to give him charge of the treasury. That way, he won’t have time to go to Indraprastha.”
And so it happened. At Dhritarashtra’s request, Vidura accepted responsibility for the treasury—a very demanding department. He had to manage accounts by day and security by night. As a result, he could not travel to Indraprastha. One day, he learned that Dhritarashtra had ordered Yudhishthira to prepare for departure to Varanavata.
Purochana, along with trusted architects and laborers, constructed a house of lac at Varanavata. The newly built palace appeared as splendid as any contemporary royal residence. It had only one entrance and no alternate exit. Though its design was sophisticated and outwardly attractive, it was surrounded by walls with guards stationed at the main gate.
Two chariots came from Hastinapura to take the Pandavas—no one else accompanied them, not even Vidura. With doubtful minds, the five brothers left Indraprastha with their mother and journeyed to the new house at Varanavata.
Only a handful of people were present to welcome them. They said, “The housewarming rituals have already been completed. No fire sacrifice is needed. Please enter.” A Brahmin recited auspicious verses and sprinkled sacred rice upon their heads. Thus, the house was formally inaugurated.
Kunti and her sons admired the artistic excellence of the grand building and rested in their respective chambers. Once alone, they gathered to discuss matters. Yudhishthira said, “Out of immense affection, Father Dhritarashtra has built this beautiful palace for us.”
Bhima said, “All my anger toward Duryodhana has vanished today. Truly, this palace is even more magnificent than the royal palace of Hastinapura.”
Arjuna asked, “But does not this entire arrangement seem suspicious? No one accompanied us from Hastinapura; the housewarming was done before our arrival; there is no nearby habitation—does this not raise doubts?”
Kunti said, “Even if no one else came, Vidura surely would have.” Everyone turned toward Sahadeva. He said, “Did no one notice? Such a large palace has only one entrance and exit. Is this normal? It feels like the prelude to a terrible conspiracy. Uncle Vidura is being prevented from coming here. Let us remain cautious tonight. If he does not arrive by tomorrow, one of us will go to Hastinapura to meet him.”
Yudhishthira said, “That means these guards are stationed to prevent us from contacting the outside world.” Bhima said, “If we seize one or two of them and punish them, all secrets would come out. Shall I bring them?”
Yudhishthira replied, “No, Bhima. For now, let us pretend we have accepted everything innocently.” Bhima then said, “I’m hungry, Mother. Come to the kitchen.”
At that moment, commotion was heard outside. A horseman from Hastinapura had arrived, but the guards were not letting him in. Yudhishthira came out and demanded an explanation. The chief guard replied, “We were ordered not to let anyone from outside enter, to ensure your safety.”
Yudhishthira said, “From now on, you will follow my orders, or I shall send you back to Hastinapura. Let him in.”
The messenger entered and handed Yudhishthira a letter—it was from Vidura. It read:
“Dear Yudhishthira,
Tonight, evade the guards and come to the nearby forest with Bhima. I will signal you with a blue light. Do not use fire in the house before we meet. Eat only fruits and roots—do not cook. Stay awake at night and sleep during the day. Do not trust strangers. We will discuss the rest in person.
Your well-wisher, Uncle Vidura.”
After dismissing the messenger, they waited for nightfall. At midnight, when the guards were asleep, Yudhishthira and Bhima went into the forest. It was the bright fortnight. Following the call of a nocturnal bird, they soon saw a blue light. Shortly after, they met Vidura.
( to be continued)